Toothpick dispenser



June 11, v D'AGOST|NO I v TOOTHPICK DISPENSER Filed Jan. 16, 1935- V TOR, I 37 "'1' 4 DAgosm m j I 49 w ATTORNEY,

Fatented June 11, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT ,OFF'IC'E'j; 2,004,805 TOOTHPICKI DISPENSER. Julius DAgostino, Detroit, Mich.

, Application January 10, 1933, Serial No. 651,016 HM 7 Claims. (01. 312 s4) 'My invention relates to a new and useful imfor efficiently ejecting toothpicks andyet simprovement in a toothpick dispensing machine ple in structure so that the same may be economwhich will be economical of manufacture, duically manufactured. l rable', and-highly efficient in use. Other objects will appear hereinafter.

Another object of the invention is the pro- The invention consists in the combination and vision in a toothpick dispensing machine of a arrangement of parts hereinafter described and coverless receptacle having an outlet feeding claimed] 1"" 3 mechanism so arranged and constructed that The invention will be best understood by a refthe delivery of a single toothpick at a time may erence to the accompanying drawing which [0 b s d, 7 forms a part of this specification, and in which,

Another object of the invention is the pro- Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the invention. vision in the toothpick dispensing machine for Fig. 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken a feeding mechanism of means whereby disarlongitudinally of the ejector.

ranged toothpicks are prevented from interfer- Fig. 3 is a fragmentary bottom plan view or ing with the normal functioning of the feeding the invention. ech i m, Fig. 4 is a perspective View of the ejector used Another object of the invention is the proin the invention. 7 vision in a toothpick dispensing machine of a Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view" taken swingable spring-pressed feeding member which on line 55 of Fig. 1. I will serve to maintain the toothpicks in position Fig. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view or a 20 for being fed from the receptacle and maintain slightly modified form of the inventionf the toothpicks in closely arranged position at This application forms in part a continuance 3,11 times, of my co-pending application Serial No. 499,020,

Another object of the invention is the profiled Nov. 29, 1930.

- vision in a toothpick dispensing machine of a The invention comprises a base'L at opposite yieldable guard plate engageable with an ejectsides of which are outward projections}; each ing mechanism so as to'normally permit the pas having a recess 9 in which a loose article "such sage of toothpicks into engagement with the as a salt cellar or the likemaybe'positioned. ejecting mechanism and prevent undue discharge Projecting upwardly from the {rear of the base of the same from the receptacle. 1 is the Cup haped member In which y 30 Another object of the invention is the proserve as a container for napkins, flowers, or the vision of a receptacle in a toothpick dispensing like. The sup c is p b y formed machine having a guard plate which may be integral with the base and constitutes a recepeasily and quickly mounted thereon and which tacle' comprising the side walls II and "I2 and. is maintained in operative position at all times. e top Wall thus leaving the receptacle Op 3 Another object of the invention is the proat its bottom. 5 vision in a toothpick dispensing machine of a IOJ'e through and m n in t d receiving tray swingably mounted and which walls II and I2 is ashaft 14. The inner surface may be yieldably locked in operative position. l5 0f the top Wall I3 is curved and struck 'on Another object of the invention is the proa circle from the center of the shaft Hi. This 40 vision in a toothpick dispensing machine of this ar ua e Surface terminates in tangent/911v class of a base having space thereon for recap: face l6 extending downwardly to the lip I'Ibetion of loose articles and provided with arecephind which is formed a recess IS. The wall-"13 tacle for containing loose articles. is downwardly turned to provide the ledge 20 Another object of the invention is the prowhich is increased in thickness to provide on the '45 vision of a toothpick dispensing machine of this outer sur ce t shoulder Ametellic ar class in which the receptacle and main body porplate 23, preferably formed from resilient matetion may. be formed from transparent material ial s doub ed 111 0 itself'te D V dethe edge such as glass or the like, and which will be pro- I9 which engages in the recess l8. The end of vided with a surface on which advertising is to theguard 3 is also doubled upon itself-soasfto '50 be displayed either within the receptacle or exembrace the ledge 20 and the extreme 'end 22 is 'terior of it.. angularly'turned to lie upon the shoulder-1|. Another object of the invention is the pro- The construction is'such that theguard plate vision in a toothpick dispensing machine of a 2.3 may be very e s y and quick y -T1 fluted or grooved ejecting mechanism adapted pressed in position, by snapping the portion -22 being engaged individually by the grooves while over the shoulder 2| while the edge I3 is in engagement in the groove or recess I 8. The wall l3 terminates upwardly of the base so as to leave a space or opening 52 at the forward end of the receptacle.

An ejector 24 is journaled in the side walls II and I2 and provided at one side with a knob 25. The opposite end is reduced as at 26 and projected through the wall H. A peripheral groove 21 is formed in this reduced portion 26 in which a. locking ring 28 may engage to lock the device in position. By gripping the knob 25, which is exterior of the wall l2, the ejector may be rotated. This ejector constitutes an elongated body or shaft which is fluted or provided with grooves 54 extending longitudinally thereof. These grooves are of suflicient depth and spaced a sufllcient distance apart as to permit a toothpick the ejector is being rotated though the ejector is still of very simple construction and easily diecast.

A deflector plate 29 is angularly turned upon itself to provide aportion 3|, the end of which is again angularly turned to extend downwardly as at 32 below the top of the ejector. The portion 3| rests upon the ejector and the edge 30 pro-- jects forwardly beyond the center of the ejector 24. The construction is such that this plate is formed U shaped in cross section and the U shaped structure overlies the longitudinal axis of the ejector. It is important that the edge 30 extend forwardly in this manner in order to prevent a clogging of the ejecting mechanism when the ejector is being rotated. Should, however, a toothpick in disarranged position be carried by the ejector rearwardly and beneath the angularly turned portion 3|, it will be brought into engagement with" the angularly turned portion 32 and thus straightened so as to extend longitudinally of theejector or in proper position forpassage downwardly to the outlet opening.

This plate 29 is swingably mounted by means of the knuckles 33 which are formed from tongues extending outwardly from one side of the member 29 and through which is extended a sleeve 34 which embraces the shaft I4. Wh ile the deviceis in upright position or while the toothpicks are in the receptacle,the portion 3| will be'maintained closely engaged against the ejector and yet rockably upward therefrom to permit the passage of a toothpick thereunder which may be carried by the ejector.

A presser member 36 which is formed arcuate in cross section is provided with knuckles 38 which embrace the sleeve 34 and whereby this presser member is swingably mounted on the sleeve, A gripping tongue 3'! is punched outwardly from'the presser plate 36. A spring 39 embraces the sleeve 34, and one end 40 of this spring engages the presser plate 36 and has a tendency to rock the same on the sleeve 34 as an axis into the lower-most right hand position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2.

In order to place the toothpicks in the receptacle, the presser plate 36 is swung counterclockwise to the dotted line position shown in Fig. 2, so as to permit deposit of toothpicks into the receptacle when the same is inverted; Upon the release of the presser member 35, the spring 39 will serve to move this presser member into surface of each of which is provided a recess 41 to form shoulders 49 behind which are adapted to engage latterly projecting lugs 48 on the plate 43. The opposite end 42 of the spring 39 serves to normally retain this receiving plate 43 in position shown in Fig. 2 with the lugs 43 positioned above and behind the shoulders 43. 'In' order that these lugs 43 may pass behind the shoulders 49, a springing of the plate 43, which is preferably formed from resilient material is necessary.

In operation as the toothpicks are pressedtoward the members 29 and 23 by the presser 36 when the ejector is rotated, a toothpick engaging in one groove 54 will be deposited upon the receiving plate 43 and permit it to slide downwardly, and it engages the rib or bead 46. The cut away portion 45 lends an easy gripping of the toothpick when the same is resting against the bead 46. By continued turning of the ejector, additional toothpicks may be deposited upon the receiving plate 43. r

In assembly, the deflector plate 23-would first be snapped into position and then the ejector would be mounted in position. The remaining parts would then be assembled on the sleeve. 34, and this sleeve 34 would then be inserted into the receptacle forming portion, and the shaft l4 projected through the side walls and through the sleeve.

A coil spring 59 is connected at one end to the bent end 32 of the plate 29, and at itsopposite end to the point 60 of the receiving plate 43 so as to maintain the plate 29 pressed against the ejector 24 and maintain close contact therewith at all times while at the same time permitting this plate 29 to be raised upwardly to permit the passage of the toothpicks thereunder. A nut 58 is threaded on one end of the shaft l4. In this way the various parts may be easily and quickly assembled. After assembly, the presser member 33 may be pulled downwardly from the position shown in full lines in Fig. 2, and the receptacle forming portion inverted to. receive the toothpicks by having the receptacle open at the bottomand entirely closed at the top. It is obvious that the toothpicks are shielded from dust, dirt, or liquids and the like, and a neat and attractive device is afiorded.

In the modified form shown in Fig. 6 one of the outward projections is formed to constitute a. change tray.

When the device ismade from glass or other transparent material, the toothpicks will be vissuch variations and modifications as may come within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a toothpick dispensing machine of the class described, a rotatable toothpick ejecting member for carrying a toothpick to an outlet opening; an inclined deflecting plate overlying said ejecting member and engaging its periphery and projecting across its longitudinal axis and terminating within the marginal limits thereof; and depending means on said deflecting plate in spaced relation to said ejecting member and adapted for engaging a disarranged toothpick carried by said ejecting member and preventing discharge of the same from the ejecting member in disarranged position.

2. In a toothpick dispensing machine, a toothpick receiving receptacle closed at all sides except the bottom and having an outlet opening at one side; a shaft projected through said receptacle between the top and bottom thereof; a receiving plate inclined downwardly from said shaft and extending to the opening bearing side below the opening and forming at one side of said shaft a bottom for the toothpick receiving portion of said receptacle; and a swingable presser member extending outwardly from said shaft in the opposite direction for forming at said side of said shaft, the bottom of the toothpick receiving portion of said receptacle.

3. In a toothpick dispensing machine, a toothpick receiving receptacle closed at all sides except the bottom and having an outlet opening at one side; a shaft projected through said receptacle between the top and bottom thereof; a receiving plate inclined downwardly from said shaft and extending to the opening bearing side below the opening and forming at one side of said shaft a bottom for the toothpick receiving portion of said receptacle; a swingable presser member extending outwardly from said shaft in the opposite direction for forming at said side of said shaft, the bottom of the toothpick receiving portion of said receptacle; an ejector mounted in said receptacle above said receiving plate; a guard plate in said receptacle for directing toothpicks toward said ejector and preventing passage on to said receiving plate; and a deflecting plate overlying said ejector and extending across its longitudinal axis for deflecting toothpicks on to said guard plate, said ejector being adapted upon rotation for carrying a toothpick and depositing the same upon said receiving plate.

4. In a toothpick dispensing machine, a toothpick receiving receptacle closed at all sides except the bottom and having an outlet opening at one side; a shaft projected through said receptacle between the top and bottom thereof; a receiving plate inclined downwardly from said shaft and extending to the opening bearing side below the opening and forming at one side of said shaft a bottom for the toothpick receiving portion of said receptacle; a swingable presser member extending outwardly from said shaft in the opposite direction for forming at said side of said shaft, the bottom of the toothpick receiving portion of said receptacle; an ejector mounted in said receptacle above said receiving plate; a guard plate in said receptacle for directing toothpicks toward said ejector and preventing passage on to said receiving plate; a deflecting plate overlying said ejector and extending across its longitudinal axis for deflecting toothpicks on to said guard plate, said ejector being adapted upon rotation for carrying a toothpick and depositing the same upon said receiving plate; and resilient means for pressing said presser member across the toothpicks for forcing the same toward said guard plate and said deflector.

5. In a toothpick dispensing machine, a receptacle closed on all sides except the bottom and provided at one end with an outlet opening; a shaft projected through said receptacle between its top and bottom; a receiving plate swingably mounted on said shaft and projecting downwardly from one side thereof to the side of said receptacle below said opening, the side walls of said receptacle at said opening having recesses formed therein to provide engagement shoulders; and outwardly projecting lugs on said receiving plate for engaging behind said shoulders and resisting displacement of said receiving plate, said receiving plate serving as a closure for one side of said receptacle extending downwardly from said shaft.

6. In a toothpick dispenser of the class described, a receptacle having an opening at one side; a lip on the inner side of said receptacle above said opening projecting inwardly to provide a recess behind the lip; a ledge on the outer surface of said receptacle above said opening to provide a horizontally disposed shoulder; a guard plate doubled upon itself and engaging at its doubled over edge in the recesses behind said lip, said lip engaging the face of said guard plate to provide a seal against toothpicks entering around said recess, said guard plate being doubled around said edge and having an angularly turned end lying in engagement with the shoulder on said ledge.

7. In a toothpick dispensing machine of the class described, a receptacle closed on all sides except its bottom and provided with an outlet opening; a shaft projected through said receptacle; a tubular sleeve embracing said shaft; clo-' sure members swingably mounted on said sleeve for closing the bottom of the toothpick receiving compartment; and a deflecting plate swingably mounted on said sleeve, said parts being capable of being assembled on said sleeve prior to insertion into said receptacle.

JULIUS DAGOS'I'INO. 

